guilt will be changed to a dismissal. The petitioner then can honestly and legally answer to a question about their criminal history, with some exceptions, that they have not been convicted of that crime. What is actually stated on the record of the case is that the case was dismissed after conviction. If the petitioner is later convicted of the same crime again, then the expungement may be reversed. Certificate of rehabilitation For persons who serve sentences in the state prison system (felons), they must apply to the Superior Court for a Certificate of Rehabilitation (CR). The CR does not remove or expunge anything negative from the individual's record; however, it places something positive on it. Among other requirements, the applicant must live in California and have done so for at least 5 consecutive years prior to applying, and been law-abiding for 7 years starting from the sooner of their release from prison or court supervision. After they meet all requirements and receive a CR, certain rights of theirs are restored and a request for a pardon is automatically sent to the governor. Juvenile records Juvenile criminal court records remain unless the individual petitions to have them sealed. This may be done when they reach their 18th birthday, even though some states provide for automatic expungement of certain juvenile records regardless of age. Impaired driving expungement There is not much that can be done to remove or conceal a driving under the influence record, but in the state of California, it can be expunged. California Penal Code 1203.4 allows most types of convictions may be expunged. To qualify, the person must have completed probation, satisfied all financial obligations, not currently be facing charges or court supervision, and not have been sentenced to prison or parole. Reduction of a felony to a misdemeanor In states like California, state laws allow an individual to reduce a "wobbler" offense from felony to misdemeanor, which will effectively restore firearm rights, provided that the individual has not been convicted of another felony or has not lost his or her firearm rights for another reason. See also Martin v. Hearst Corporation Pardon Record sealing Rehabilitation Policy References Further reading Margaret Colgate Love, Relief From the Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Conviction: A State-By-State Resource Guide (June 2008) Criminal procedure Criminal records Legal terminology